Features

More than anything else, it’s new product that pushes boat, engine and accessory sales.  Whether it’s a new, more efficient engine or a feature-loaded boat model, boaters are driven to pursue the latest, greatest thing. Without innovation, there’s no burning desire to buy. We know that – and we also know that new product information is one of the most ...

The last couple of years have seen an upswing in dealer consolidation. An improving market, an aging owner base and easier access to capital have made it an attractive time to buy a boat dealership or marina, especially for those who can realize some economies of scale. In the marina segment, we’ve seen Safe Harbor and Suntex scooping up marinas ...

Over the past decade, the fuels and additives market has been heavily focused on ethanol in gasoline: what it does to fuel systems, how to raise consumer awareness of its potential dangers, and developing products to meet the market need.  And while consumer awareness of ethanol is still a market focus, it is not the same driving message it used ...

As the economy and the marine industry have improved over the past few years, the floorplan financing market has followed suit. Banks are lending more as dealers are looking to stock more boats to meet consumer demand, which is causing dealers to experience high turn rates.  “Growth in the marine industry has been great the past few years and inventory ...

In previous issues we’ve talked about the process your boat buyers go through, called the “Educational Spectrum,” and how you can take advantage of your competition’s lack of understanding by offering the “researchers and evaluators” the information they are searching for already. But as I wrote earlier, it could backfire on you if you don’t provide an exceptional experience. That ...

The growth in recreational boating over the past several years has been achieved in large part due to corresponding advances in outboard power. It’s impossible to walk through any consumer boat show these days and not be struck by the overwhelming prevalence of outboard engines. From lightweight portables to behemoth V8s, outboard engines continue to dominate sales figures not just ...

March’s existing home sales pace surpasses January as the strongest month of sales since February 2007. Existing home sales Total existing home sales rose 4.4 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.71 million in March, from a downwardly revised 5.47 million in February. This is 5.9 percent above the previous year and the strongest month in a decade. ...

The BI Weekly 5 is a collection of links, tips, news and data affecting the boating industry this week. Be sure to look for the BI Weekly 5 every week on BoatingIndustry.com. 1. Jacksonville boat show back on after dispute with city The Southeast U.S Boat Show will now take place in May after a dispute between show organizers and ...

Boat sales were up year-over-year in March, but the rate of growth continued to slow last month, according to the latest Info-Link Bellwether report. According to Info-Link, the Bellwether report tracks sales of powerboats across the country based on new U.S. boat registrations on a rolling 12-month basis. Bellwether states are geographically dispersed states representing roughly half of the US ...

Builder confidence in the market for newly built single-family homes fell three points to a level of 68 in April on the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index. The drop follows a 12-year high in March. “Even with this month’s modest drop, builder confidence is on very firm ground, and builders are reporting strong interest among potential ...